Innovative new technologies are essential to a sustainable energy future.  These technologies are required to cost effectively increase the efficiencies of electric system infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, increase reliability and respond to future emerging issues.  APS has been actively involved in technology research and innovation for many years and has helped develop and implement many new technologies.  From our leading edge solar research, to the use of algae to reduce carbon emissions, to the use of smart meters or hydrogen vehicles, we are continually evaluating technology innovation to help create our sustainable energy future.  We are also active participants in industry research activities through organizations such as the Electric Power Research Institute and the Edison Electric Institute.

Below are several examples of new technologies we are researching and implementing in our operation.  Our research programs are heavily focused on our Key Issues, including climate change, renewable energy, system reliability and  improved energy delivery systems:

• Solar Energy
  APS has been involved in solar energy research since the 1980s and is a leader in the research and development of utility scale solar energy generation

• APS Emissions to BioFuel Project
  APS is conducting an exciting demonstration project in conjunction with GreenFuel Technology that uses carbon dioxide from power plant emissions to grow algae which is then used to produce biofuels

• APS Coal to Substitute Natural Gas Project
  Manufacturing substitute natural gas (SNG) from coal via a carbon hydro-gasification process
  

• APS Hydrogen Park
  Generating hydrogen from water using solar energy for use in vehicles, and other innovative hydrogen power research
  

• West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB)
  A new way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by storing carbon dioxide underground

• Smart Meters
  The use of "smart meters" and advanced metering technology holds the potential of providing our customers with a quantum leap in service in the future.

• APS Pyrolysis Project
  APS is sponsoring a pyrolysis demonstration project to research the potential for a biodiesel fuel source, a renewable fuel for power plant co-firing and for carbon sequestration with the char (biomass waste materials) used as a fertilizer supplement.

• ECObus Hydrogen-Powered Bus
  Arizona's first hydrogen-powered bus.  ECOtality, Inc. has teamed up with APS to bring the ECObus to Arizona to educate the public on the use of renewable energies